4.2 liter vs.?
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New User
Joined: Dec 2007
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4.2 liter vs.?
I'm looking to purchase a used F150 in the $4-5000.00 range. I'm leaning towards a 6 cyl for mileage consideration. It sounds like (from some of the reviews I've read) that the 4.2 is problematic. Would I be better off hunting down a 96 0r older with low miles to get the indestructable 300-6? Or am I kidding myself thinking there is really that much diference between the 6 and 8 in terms of milleage? I look forward to hearing from the experts.
Thanks
r
Thanks
r
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 1
From: South Texas
If your gonna do any towing or hauling the 4.2 will probably waste more gas than a V8.
As for the 4.2 having problems, I don't think it's too bad, assuming regular maintenance, ect. You gotta remember, most of the post on here are from people trying to solve a problem, so the stats are off.
As for the 4.2 having problems, I don't think it's too bad, assuming regular maintenance, ect. You gotta remember, most of the post on here are from people trying to solve a problem, so the stats are off.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: royal oak, mich
Get a V8 but also get a tuner like SCT X3 from 5startuning.com and you'll be surprised. Before I changed rear gears I got 16 hwy but tuning got that in the city. Power and gas mileage increase. Having your cake and eating it to.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
I'm looking to purchase a used F150 in the $4-5000.00 range. I'm leaning towards a 6 cyl for mileage consideration. It sounds like (from some of the reviews I've read) that the 4.2 is problematic. Would I be better off hunting down a 96 0r older with low miles to get the indestructable 300-6? Or am I kidding myself thinking there is really that much diference between the 6 and 8 in terms of milleage? I look forward to hearing from the experts.
Thanks
r
Thanks
r
JL
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
Don't waste your time with the 4.2L. The mileage is almost identical to the 4.6L except for the rare unloaded all-highway-only road trip,where the 4.2L will yield about 2mpg more. For the other 99.9% of the time-it's the same as a 4.6L,and it'll actually get WORSE mileage with any towing. Also, if you're looking for fuel mileage-the last place you want to go looking is for a 300-inline 6.
JL
JL
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New User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
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I couldnt disagree more .... the 4.2 has nearly the same power as the 4.6 and better gas mileage to boot. I bought my truck (01 4.2 5spd ext cab) for just that reason. Was working at lumberyard hauling and towing quite often and lots of driving so mpg was important. The 4.2 has plenty ofpower to tow up to 6,000lbs.
as far as problems stay away from 97-98 4.2's and your in good shape (hydrolock problems)....... I now work for a car lot and as company purchasing guideline we dont purchase F150's or Expy's with the 4.6 cause they are unreliable
as far as problems stay away from 97-98 4.2's and your in good shape (hydrolock problems)....... I now work for a car lot and as company purchasing guideline we dont purchase F150's or Expy's with the 4.6 cause they are unreliable
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
Your car lot doesn't buy 4.6L's because it's more profitable to sell a 5.4L vehicle since use the public is ignorant and believes what dealers tell them.
JL
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 125
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From: London, Ontario
I couldnt disagree more .... the 4.2 has nearly the same power as the 4.6 and better gas mileage to boot. I bought my truck (01 4.2 5spd ext cab) for just that reason. Was working at lumberyard hauling and towing quite often and lots of driving so mpg was important. The 4.2 has plenty ofpower to tow up to 6,000lbs.
as far as problems stay away from 97-98 4.2's and your in good shape (hydrolock problems)....... I now work for a car lot and as company purchasing guideline we dont purchase F150's or Expy's with the 4.6 cause they are unreliable
as far as problems stay away from 97-98 4.2's and your in good shape (hydrolock problems)....... I now work for a car lot and as company purchasing guideline we dont purchase F150's or Expy's with the 4.6 cause they are unreliable
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
Looking to purchase a good used F150 in the $4000 - $5000 range.
If you can find a good low mileage V8, buy it if that is what you want and need.
If you do not need a V8 and find a good used V6, buy that if it is what you want.
I have had 2 F150s with the 4.2. My first was a 2000. If it had been a piece of junk, I'd not have bought another. My current 2005 has 163,000 miles on it and has been very reliable. Not one (as in NONE) engine or transmission problems. One Rear axle seal about 55,000 miles ago is the only repair I have had to do.
Gas mileage is not significantly better/different than the 4.6 (in my experience).
My bottom line suggestion: if you need a V8 then buy a V8. If not, read the opinions expressed here, then go make your own (better educated) decision and buy what YOU want at the price you want to pay.
If you can find a good low mileage V8, buy it if that is what you want and need.
If you do not need a V8 and find a good used V6, buy that if it is what you want.
I have had 2 F150s with the 4.2. My first was a 2000. If it had been a piece of junk, I'd not have bought another. My current 2005 has 163,000 miles on it and has been very reliable. Not one (as in NONE) engine or transmission problems. One Rear axle seal about 55,000 miles ago is the only repair I have had to do.
Gas mileage is not significantly better/different than the 4.6 (in my experience).
My bottom line suggestion: if you need a V8 then buy a V8. If not, read the opinions expressed here, then go make your own (better educated) decision and buy what YOU want at the price you want to pay.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
The condition of the truck you buy is the most important thing.
As for a used car lot avoiding the 4.6, that's truly bizarre and amusing. I'd take a sound truck with a 4.2, 4.6, or 5.4. I help wrench at a used car lot BTW. It's all about buying low at auction, getting trade-ins essentially free, and sending anything you don't want to sell directly back to auction etc, where it will go back into the system.
ANYTHING except maybe a burning car full of radioactive ebola virus is worth imaginary money if it clinches a sale for real money. Come to think of it, even that car would be worth a decent profit above cleanup costs...
As for a used car lot avoiding the 4.6, that's truly bizarre and amusing. I'd take a sound truck with a 4.2, 4.6, or 5.4. I help wrench at a used car lot BTW. It's all about buying low at auction, getting trade-ins essentially free, and sending anything you don't want to sell directly back to auction etc, where it will go back into the system.
ANYTHING except maybe a burning car full of radioactive ebola virus is worth imaginary money if it clinches a sale for real money. Come to think of it, even that car would be worth a decent profit above cleanup costs...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 7
From: Not as far west as I want
Really? 4.6 problematic? Really my folks have had 4 towncars since 92 several had close to 200K before they traded. My brother has a 95 Crown Vic with a 4.6 that has 200K on it. I just landed a 98 with 4.6 and 5 speed. I have not put enough miles on it to calculate mileage yet. But I am thinking it will do quite well and be reliable to boot.
I have 2 other pickups with 300s in them. My 79 still manages to get 15 MPG and my 92 F250 with 4.10s will get 18 MPG if I drive it right.
Either way will be OK fine. I honestly wasn't a fan of the 97 on for a long time. The more I drive my newest pickup the more I like it.
I have 2 other pickups with 300s in them. My 79 still manages to get 15 MPG and my 92 F250 with 4.10s will get 18 MPG if I drive it right.
Either way will be OK fine. I honestly wasn't a fan of the 97 on for a long time. The more I drive my newest pickup the more I like it.
New User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Profitability has nothing and everything to do with it.....If we were just dumping used cars off on people and didnt care if it ran in 2 weeks or not it might be different but we have to think about reliability and repair costs for the life of the loan (2-3yrs) and the service contract
Popularity of engines has nothing to do with it or we wouldnt buy F150's with the 4.2.....because as you said buyers believe what they hear..
To add to the popularity comment and service cost issues we also stay away from VW...Caddillac and Northstar engines... volvo....certain Chrysler's....and Saturn Vue